BẢN TIN ĐIỀU ẤN ĐỘ NGÀY 14/4/2016

BẢN TIN ĐIỀU ẤN ĐỘ NGÀY 14/4/2016 

Trong 4 tuần qua, thị trường điều đã tăng đáng kể.

 

Trong tuần 14, giao dịch đã được thực hiện đối với mã hàng W240: 3,90-4,00 và W320: 3,70-3,80 FOB giao tháng Tư – tháng Năm và tháng Sáu. Không có nhiều giao dịch ở nhóm hàng khác.

 

Mức giá hiện nay (Tuần 15) là W240: 3,95-4,10 / W320 3,75-3,95 / W450 3,60-3,75 / SW320 3,50-3,65 / WS: 3,20-3,35 / LP: 3,05-3,15 FOB. Khách hỏi hàng nhiều nhưng giao dịch hạn chế. 

 

Đầu vụ, giá RCN bắt đầu di chuyển xuống vào cuối tháng Hai. Do chính sách thuế nhập khẩu điều thô mới tại Ấn Độ, nhiều người kỳ vọng giá sẽ trở lên mềm hơn trong năm nay. Thật ngạc nhiên là trái lại, giá RCN bắt đầu di chuyển lên một lần nữa từ giữa tháng Ba. Ví dụ, IVC (vụ điều lớn nhất tại châu Phi) từ mức giá dưới US $ 1300 đã nhảy vọt lên US $ 1500 (tăng gần 15% trong một tháng !!). Để so sánh, giá RCN IVC đã được giao dịch trong khoảng US $ 1150-1300 trong năm 2015.

 

Mùa vụ tới trễ ở nhiều khu vực - có lo ngại rằng sản lượng có thể thiếu ở một số vùng. Hình ảnh rõ ràng về số lượng sẽ chỉ có vào cuối tháng Năm đầu tháng Sáu. Một điều chắc chắn rằng - Sản lượng nhân điều trên mỗi tấn điều thô (nguyên vỏ) từ tất cả các xuất xứ là thấp hơn bình thường.

 

Cùng với sự tăng giá RCN, thị trường điều nhân sau một thời gian rất dài ổn định đã bắt đầu di chuyển lên. Giá đã tăng vài cents mỗi tuần từ giữa tháng Ba. Do sự mùa vụ tới trễ và các nhà chế biến Ấn Độ giảm mua, lượng nhân điều có trong kho từ Tháng Tư-Tháng sáu sẽ giảm. Kỳ vọng này cùng với một số chậm trễ (delay) trong giao hàng Tháng Hai - tháng Ba của Việt Nam đã khiến cho khách Mỹ, châu Âu đến và lấy lấy tất cả những lô hàng giao gần. Một số người mua cũng đang tập trung mua trữ cho Quý 3.

 

Hoạt động trong tuần này đã bị hạn chế do có nhiều lo âu về những gì sẽ xảy ra trong vài tuần tới. Người mua không muốn trả mức cao hơn bởi vì họ không biết liệu những lo ngại về mùa vụ có bị phóng đại hay không (và liệu nhu cầu sẽ bị ảnh hưởng gì nếu giá vẫn ở mức cao hay không). Những nhà máy chẻ không sẵn sàng bán bất kỳ khối lượng lớn nào bởi vì họ không tiên liệu được mùa vụ sẽ phát triển trong vài tuần tới như thế nào và những gì sẽ xảy ra với giá RCN.

 

Giá RCN hiện nay rất cao - lợi nhuận của những nhà chế biến đang chịu bởi nhiều sức ép đã gần tới đỉnh điểm của sức kháng cự đối với nhiều nhà chế biến. Kết quả là, nhiều nhà chế biến đã phải giảm công suất chế biến. Nếu giá RCN không giảm đáng kể hoặc giá điều nhân không tăng lên nhiều hơn một chút nữa, các nhà chế biến sẽ không thể mua nhiều RCN như họ thường làm. Điều này sẽ giữ cho nguồn cung điều nhân năm nay trở lên khó khăn hơn trong vài tháng nữa cho đến khi có sự cân bằng cần thiết giữa giá RCN và giá điều nhân.

 

Giá điều nhân cất cánh tốt cho tất cả thị trường và nếu giá không tăng quá nhiều, chúng ta có thể dự đoán xu hướng sẽ tiếp tục. Có thể ở một thời điểm nào đó giá sẽ lên tới đỉnh điểm trước khi hạ cánh nhưng câu hỏi là bao giờ điều đó sẽ xảy ra?

 

Sau một thời gian dài giá điều nhân “ổn định + lợi nhuận đủ + tăng trưởng ổn”, có vẻ như năm nay sẽ “khác + khó + nguy”.

 

Nguồn: Samson’s Cashew Market Report (Pankaj N. Sampat, 14/4/2016) 

Dịch bởi: Hồng Hạnh (CTV VINACAS)

Nguồn tiếng Anh: http://vinacas.blogspot.com/2016/04/samsons-cashew-market-report-14-apr-2016.html

SAMSON'S CASHEW MARKET REPORT - 14 APR 2016

Cashew market has moved up significantly in the last 4 weeks.

During Week 14, business was done for W240 from 3.90 to 4.00 and W320 from 3.70 to 3.80 FOB for Apr May Jun shipments.  Not much business reported in other grades.

Levels now (Week 15) are W240 3.95 to 4.10 / W320 from 3.75 to 3.95 / W450 from 3.60 to 3.75 / SW320 from 3.50 to 3.65 / Splits from 3.20 to 3.35 / Pieces from 3.05 to 3.15 FOB. More enquiries but limited activity.

After opening high, RCN prices started moving down by end Feb. With introduction of import duty on RCN in India, people were expecting further softening.  Surprisingly, RCN prices started moving up again from middle of Mar.  For instance, IVC (largest crop in Africa) which had gone below US$ 1300 has moved up to US$ 1500 (an increase of nearly 15% in one month !!). For comparision, IVC RCN traded in the range of US$ 1150 to 1300 during 2015.

Arrivals are late in many areas - there is concern that crop may be short in some areas. Clear picture on quantity will be available only by end May or early Jun. One thing is certain - kernel yields per ton of RCN (in-shell) from almost all origins are lower than normal.

Following the increase in RCN prices, the kernel market which has been steady for a very long time started moving up.   Prices have been going up few cents every week from middle of March. Due to the delay in crops and reduced buying by Indian processors, kernel availability in Apr to Jun will be reduced. This expectation coupled with some delays in Feb Mar shipments from Vietnam induced USA & EU buyers to come in and pick up all offers for nearby shipments. Some buyers are covering for third quarter also.

Activity this week has been limited because there is apprehension about what will happen in coming weeks.  Buyers are reluctant to pay higher levels because they don’t know whether crop concern is exaggerated (and whether demand will be affected if prices remain high).  Shellers are reluctant to sell any large volume because they don’t know how crops will develop in coming weeks and what will happen to RCN prices.

Current RCN prices are very high - processors margins which have been under severe pressure have moved to negative territory for most processors.  As a result, many processors have reduced processing.  If the RCN prices don’t come down significantly or kernel prices don’t move up a bit more, processors will not be able to buy as much RCN as they normally would.  This will keep kernel supplies tight for few months more until there is parity between RCN & kernel prices.

Kernel off-take has been good in all markets and if prices do not go up too much, we can expect trend to continue.  There may be a tipping point beyond which there could be a decline in off-take. The questions at what is that point and will we reach it ?

After a long period of stable prices + sufficient margins + steady growth, it seems that this year will be different + difficult + dangerous.

Pankaj N. Sampat | SAMSONS TRADERS

Source: http://vinacas.blogspot.in/

 

The agony of the cashew industry in Ghana

The only factory processing cashew in Ghana still active, Usibras Ghana is threatened, said its CEO Tarciso Falcao to Commerce Minister Ekwow Spio-Garbrah Ghanaweb reported Saturday. The plant only runs at 20% capacity (35 000 tons) because it lacks raw material, most of the nuts being exported raw.

cajou_usibras_tarciso_falcao.jpgQu'en is it? The Brazilian group Usibras decided in 2013 to invest ($ 35 million) in a nut processing plant began to turn in November. Preferring to settle in Ghana, found in 2013 "politically more stable," the Brazilian group, however well counted on supplies from Ivory Coast, the first African producer, with 700 000 tons (t), while Ghana did harvest around 70 000 t per year. Other nuts also come from Burkina Faso and Mali, whose productions are around respectively 60 000-70 000 t and 30 000 t 000-40

For a long time Côte d'Ivoire's policy prohibiting export raw cashew nuts, says Pierre Ricaud Rongead-N'Kalô. A more or less applied over the years, fraudulent exports estimated to about 40 000 to 50 000 t has always been current, according to the specialist. However, during the 2014/15 campaign, the Ivorian authorities, through the Council of cotton and cashew (CCA), have decided to strengthen their controls, sending the military to tackle the mafia trafficking. With results. "Today, it is estimated that illegal traffic fell around 5 000 to 10 000 t," said Pierre Ricaud.

Hence the difficulty setting of processing industries in Ghana. Usibras dying, that in Techiman Indian Rajkumar Impex is closed as the Dutch Mim Cashew; 12 companies, 11 were already closed last August (see our news).

Yet in total, the installed industrial capacity is only 65,890 t, according to the Ministry of Commerce. And when you consider that 150 000 tons of raw nuts are exported around the port of Tema, Ghana's nuts but also the hinterland, the country could well supply its factories and continue to export some 100 000 t of raw nuts .

Recall that Ghana has banned the export of raw nuts in March but is immediately reversed its decision (see our news). Indeed, pressure to repeal the measure had been very strong, especially from exporters because the Tema port would be the cheapest in the region and the margins on substantial exports but also producers who aps want to trouyver the industrial thank you (see our news). "The Ghanaian authorities must play Franco and ban once and for all the raw nut exports to protect their industry," said Pierre Ricau.

Source: http://www.commodafrica.com/

Kernel Prices Rise During the Main Procurement Season

Exporters buying price for a Premium W320 tin is now Rs6600 + VAT/11.340 kilo/excluding packing/Goa-Mangalore. Increase in W240 and higher grades is also proportionate. In the North Indian markets, splits and pieces supply is not catching up with the domestic summer demand as these grades are much less in the Indian origin raw nuts. Source: http://worldcashew.com/

Major $35m cashew processing factory to close down

Mon Apr 11, 2016

Ghana stands the risk of closing down the only major cashew processing company in the country in the next few years.

This is likely to happen if workable measures are not put in place to sustain the supply of raw cashew to the plant.

The $35 million Brazilian private sector company that was constructed a couple of years ago with installed capacity of 35,000 metric tons is currently producing only 20 per cent of its capacity due mainly to inadequate supply of the commodity.

Mr Tarciso Falcao, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company made this known when Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry and Madam Irene Vida Gala, Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana paid a working visit to the company at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

Among the delegation are technocrats from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Explaining the challenges of the company, Mr Falcao said la Cote D ‘Ivoire, which is the highest producer of the commodity in the sub-region with 700,000 tons had stopped supplying the company with the nuts.

This followed the neighbouring country’s ban of export of the commodity.

He said the company, with 541 workers, could increase the number if it receives adequate supply of cashew.

The CEO said Ghana’s raw cashew total production is negligible as it produces only 7,000 tons, which is the 10th of the production level of la Cote D ‘Ivoire.

He said the governments of Burkina Faso and Benin who are also major suppliers are bracing up to ban the export of the commodity to Ghana. Mr Falcao said although not officially stated anywhere, the banning of the export of the commodity in la Cote D’ Ivoire was a ploy to cripple the processing plant for a possible relocation into that country.

He however remained resolute that he would continue to work hard to ensure that his outfit receives adequate supplies to sustain the processing plant in Ghana.

“If it finally becomes very difficult to acquire more raw materials, we will not mind importing from Brazil although it will be much more expensive.”

Dr Spio-Garbrah gave the assurance that government would do everything under its purview to ensure the survival of the cashew processing company.

He said his outfit and other stakeholders in the cashew industry would in the next 60 days put in place measures that would make them sign memoranda of understanding to sustain the production of the commodity to become self-reliant.

The Minister said it is unfair for the President and Ministers to woo investors into the country to face basic production challenges, hinting that it would be possible for Ghana to process 100 per cent of whatever it produces in the coming days.

He said the stakeholders’ collaboration would include providing credit schemes to growers, processors and to create a buffer stock that would be used to ensure constant supply of the commodity to processors.

Dr Spio-Garbrah said discussions would also be held with Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo and other cashew producing companies to ensure frequent supply of raw materials.

Supporting farmers to step up production is the surest way to constantly supply the commodity, he said.

Madam Gala, Brazilian, appealed to government to put in place policies that would support fledging domestic industries to flourish, particularly in the competitive world.

She said the cashew processing company and the Dabala rice farming projects are two major Brazilian private sector companies that are operating in the country and gave the assurance that they would be ready to engage Ghana in technical cooperation.

Source: GNA

Nigerian cashew farmers urge government aid

Nigeria’s Kwara state is a major cashew producer but despite the efforts and achievements of many of the state’s cashew farmers, the challenges are so massive that they can only be overcome by  government support.Akinola said: “Some of the cashew trees are old and need to be replaced. We also have the challenge of non-availability of land to plant cashew, no access to

Source: https://www.agra-net.com/agra/public-ledger/commodities/nuts/cashews/nigerian-cashew-farmers-urge-government-aid-511789.htm

Ghana Risks Closing Down Its Major Cashew Processing Company

Ghana stands the risk of closing down the only major cashew processing company in the country in the next few years.

This is likely to happen if workable measures are not put in place to sustain the supply of raw cashew to the plant.cashewThe $35 million -dollar Brazilian private sector company that was constructed a couple of years ago with installed capacity of 35,000 metric tonnes is currently producing only 20 per cent of its capacity due mainly to inadequate supply of the commodity.Mr Tarciso Falcao, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company made this known when Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry and Madam Irene Vida Gala, Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana paid a working visit to the company at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.Among the delegation are technocrats from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.Explaining the challenges of the company, Mr Falcao said la Cote D ‘Ivoire, which is the highest producer of the commodity in the sub-region with 700,000 tonnes had stopped supplying the company with the nuts.

This followed the neighbouring country’s ban of export of the commodity.

He said the company, with 541 workers, could increase the number if it receives adequate supply of cashew.The CEO said Ghana’s raw cashew total production is negligible as it produces only 7,000 tonnes, which is the 10th of the production level of la Cote D ‘Ivoire.He said the governments of Burkina Faso and Benin who are also major suppliers are bracing up to ban the export of the commodity to Ghana.Mr Falcao said although not officially stated anywhere, the banning of the export of the commodity in la Cote D’ Ivoire was a ploy to cripple the processing plant for a possible relocation into that country.He however remained resolute that he would continue to work hard to ensure that his outfit receives adequate supplies to sustain the processing plant in Ghana.“If it finally becomes very difficult to acquire more raw materials, we will not mind importing from Brazil although it will be much more expensive.”Dr Spio-Garbrah gave the assurance that government would do everything under its purview to ensure the survival of the cashew processing company.

He said his outfit and other stakeholders in the cashew industry would in the next 60 days put in place measures that would make them sign memoranda of understanding to sustain the production of the commodity to become self-reliant.The Minister said it is unfair for the President and Ministers to woo investors into the country to face basic production challenges, hinting that it would be possible for Ghana to process 100 per cent of whatever it produces in the coming days.He said the stakeholders’ collaboration would include providing credit schemes to growers, processors and to create a buffer stock that would be used to ensure constant supply of the commodity to processors.Dr Spio-Garbrah said discussions would also be held with Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo and other cashew producing companies to ensure frequent supply of raw materials.Supporting farmers to step up production is the surest way to constantly supply the commodity, he said.Madam Gala, Brazilian, appealed to government to put in place policies that would support fledging domestic industries to flourish, particularly in the competitive world.She said the cashew processing company and the Dabala rice farming projects are two major Brazilian private sector companies that are operating in the country and gave the assurance that they would be ready to engage Ghana in technical cooperation.

Source: GNA

Gov't to outline measures to improve cashew production

The government is to come up with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) within the next 60 days to outline measures to promote the production, sale and processing of cashew nuts in the country.The document would indicate the government's commitment towards extending financial, material and technical support towards the production, sale and processing of cashew nuts.Speaking during a working visit to a cashew nut processing plant at Prampram last Thursday, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, said the MoU would have inputs from the Cabinet, Parliament, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Health.The $35 million processing plant, which started operations in November, 2015, is owned by a Brazilian company called USIBRAS. The plant has the capacity to process 35,000 metric tonnes of cashew nuts per year.The processed cashew nuts are exported to the mother company of USIBRAS in the United States of America.

Ghana's production

Mr Spio-Garbrah said cashew production was a profitable business, describing it as the agriculture goldmine.He said the current national annual production of 70,000 metric tonnes of cashew nuts was low compared to the 700,000 produced by neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire.As a result, he said Ghanaian farmers were not able to produce enough to supply to the local processing companies.Mr Spio- Garbrah said the placement of a ban on the importation of cashew nuts from Côte d'Ivoire had made it more difficult for the local processing plants to have the required cashew nuts for processing.He, therefore, said there was the need for the government and private individuals to invest in cashew production to supply to the local processing plants.Mr Spio-Garbrah said his ministry, together with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, would work on the extension of credit facilities to the farmers.

USIBRAS operations

The Director of USIBRAS, Mr Tarcico Falcao, said the company did not have enough supply of cashew nuts from Ghana.He said the company initially imported cashew nuts from Côte d'Ivoire and indicated the ban on its importation from Côte d'Ivoire had affected the supplies to the company.Mr Falcao said the company now imported cashew nuts from Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire but still had a huge deficit.As a result, he said, the company's production had gone down by 20 per cent, reducing the workforce from 641 to 521.Mr Falcao said the company might fold up if the supplies of cashew nuts kept dwindling.

Brazilian Ambassador

The Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Irene Vida Gala, said Ghana had the potential to increase its cashew nuts production.Therefore, she said, there was the need for a collaborative effort to increase the production of cashew nuts.

Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/

Cashew farmers face daunting challenges in Kwara

Cashew production in Nigeria is receiving a boost as many people are now conscious of the economic value of the crop. This fact has also made government at all levels pay more attention to it, especially with the fall in the price of crude oil.

Kwara State is a major producer of cashew in Nigeria as the crop is grown in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

The chairman, Cashew Farmers Association in Kwara State, Mr. Abdulwahab S. Akinola, observed that despite the efforts and achievements of many of the cashew farmers in the state, the challenges are so enormous that the only way out is for the government to give them support.

 He said: “Some of the cashew trees are old and need to be replaced.  We also have the challenge of non-availability of land to plant cashew, no access to new breed variety of cashew and we have been appealing to government to help us with the new breed that can grow fast and give more yield. No insurance for the farmers. Government should have a safety policy for cashew farmers in terms of disaster, fire incidents, land grabbers, invasion by herdsmen, etc.”

Speaking on how they dispose their product, Akinola said it was their policy to sell to local processors and give them preference because they created jobs while the remaining was sold to foreigners, who exported them.

“If Nigerian government can focus more on cashew farming, it will create more employment and generate a lot of revenue into the government coffers as well as enhance our foreign exchange because if we process cashew in Nigeria it will be more attractive at the international market. For now, Vietnam and India process our cashew in their country. We should not allow that to continue.

“As cashew farmers, we are only interested in the cashew nut and throw the fruit away. We lose more than 3 billion litres of cashew juice every year as a result of that. In each of our farms, the least we can get is 10,000 litres of juice. There is little the association can do because it requires a lot of money and assistance from the government, while the private sector is also not helping matters.

“Governments do not have policy that favours industries that can use the cashew fruit for juice,” Akinola explained.

On the production of cashew nuts, he said they produced 55,000 tons annually in Kwara State. Most farmers do not have knowledge of how to harvest cashew which affects its yield and sales at the end.

According to him, ordinarily, cashew should be allowed to fall by itself before removing the nuts after two or three days but some of the farmers complained that thieves usually carted away their product once it was ripe which was why many of them resulted to plucking it earlier.

“A ton of cashew nut is now sold for N300,000 and we have quality control officers who determine the quality of the cashew nuts. Normally, nuts are expected to be bigger and about 160 or 170 pieces per kg. If it is more than this, that means the nut is small,” he said.

While commenting on the planned three million cashews to be planted by the federal government in three years, he said they were tired of government policy on paper without coming to pass.

“We are expecting them if they are serious about it. But for Kwara, we are expecting 1.5 million trees while other states should make do with the remaining,” he added. Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Rural Water Support Service to the Kwara State government, Mr. Anu Ibiwoye, also confirmed that the state has comparative advantage in cashew production as sizeable amount of cashew is also produced in Oyo State.

“Kwara State has a substantial production of cashew because it grows in all of the 16 local government areas of the state and it is produced in sizeable quantity but the state has not been able to have a structured platform for harmonising the potentials that exist in the cashew sub-sector.

“The state governor has directed that we should try and put together a structure for cashew in the state and recently approved that cashew should be listed as one of the strategic crops that the state government will focus on, not only for its export potentials but because it is also a source of livelihood for a lot of people,” Ibiwoye said.

The special adviser said the state was also trying to tap into the federal government’s policy on cashew production and see how many from the three million cashew trees would be planted in the state.

 “We are encouraging farmers to plant cashew. The state government will facilitate the availability of high breed cashew seedlings that will begin to produce in the next three years and we will ensure that our farmers work with the National Cashew Association and the state branch to ensure that they key into it and drive the process through,” he assured.

Source: http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/

Trade Facilitation Agreement will ease cross-border threats - Expert

Ghana’s quest to speed up the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) would help address the numerous cross-border challenges faced by traders, Mr Emmanuel Doni-Kwame, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce has said.

Mr Doni-Kwame, also the Managing Director of World Trade Centre, Accra, said a holistic and efficient implementation of the agreement would help in reducing trade transaction costs and unnecessary delays across trade borders.

He was speaking during a panel discussion in Accra on the Ghana Journalists Association programme dubbed: “Business Advocate” on Ghana Television, which is supported by BUSAC Fund, DANIDA, United States Agency for International Development and the European Union.

The topic for discussion was: “How far has Ghana gone with Ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement?”.

Mr Doni-Kwame noted that the agreement when ratified could help lower trade costs and ease customs cooperation for member countries, as well as generate more trade and investment globally, since goods delayed at the country's borders raises costs of businesses that are often passed on to consumers.

TFA is the simplification and harmonization of international trade procedures and the formalities involved in collecting, presenting and processing data required for the movement of goods in international trade.

In December 2013, members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded negotiations on a Trade Facilitation Agreement on the Indonesian island and province called ‘Bali’. The agreement at the Bali Ministerial Conference came as part of a wider “Bali Package”.

The agreement would enter into force once two-thirds of WTO’s 162 members have completed their domestic ratification process. As of March 2016, out of the 65 WTO Members that had ratified, only seven of them, excluding Ghana, were from Africa out of a total of 40 African WTO Members.

Mr Doni-Kwame was of the view that, the ratification of the agreement would impact on the country's economic growth within the context of globalization and enhance an efficient logistics chain and impact trading relationships.

Mr. Doni-Kwame explained that trade facilitation is aimed at simplifying not only the documentation required to clear goods, but also the procedures employed by border agencies, and that focusing on the biggest risks allowed border agencies to speed up the flow of goods across the border, and increases the collection of duties.

Mr Joseph Agbaga, immediate-past President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders said trade facilitation required efforts of all stakeholders to ensure an effective and resilient system of operation.

Ms Valentina Mintah, Chief Executive Officer of West Blue, Operators of the Single Window at the Port urged government to speed up the ratification agreement to ensure that the country’s exports remained competitive and relevant.

She said the country had played a central role in trade facilitation and that it was imperative to ensure the ratification of the agreement.

Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com

Ivory Coast: CCL crusade against illegal exports cashew

In Côte d'Ivoire, the Council of Cotton and Cashew (CCA) is currently on a crusade against the illegal export of cashew nuts. With the support of the mixed brigade of border control, the institution has launched a crackdown on this practice in areas of Poro, the Tchogolo and Bagoue indicates the Infodrome. The aim of this operation is to stop the flow of illegal exports of cashew to Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana.

Note that, before this campaign of repression, a major focus was on educating people in these areas to the problems relating to the smuggling of cashews. As the latter have they mobilized behind the authorities in their fight. "Our villages have no electrification and health centers. We'll report our brothers who are complicit in the fraud. "Stated Doulaye Ouattara and Alassane Ouattara which respectively the head of the village of Mamhandougou and president of the village of Kadarvogo Management Committee will perform two localities the operations.

Until then, the efforts of the mixed brigade of border control have resulted, among others, to the arrest of trucks carrying several tons of cashew.

Source: http://fr.africatime.com

Concerns the quality of raw cashew imports from Ivory Coast

According to CTV Vinacas in Ivory Coast, since this week there will be many shipments are transported on scheduled delivery Vietnam has signed, but rainy weather, high humidity, and want to ensure the moisture content of grain under 10% of forced sellers to expose once again sunny sky. A seller with experience doing this cocoa things even more for crude to kilns for drying cocoa to achieve the necessary moisture. According to an official broker / inspection of goods in Africa: "the important moment is the" broker "to remind the" shipper "moisture management thoroughly and do not go by the amount of moisture that carry goods Vietnam, always put the interests of Vietnam now up top ". Due to the rain, today, transactions that still take place in Ivory Coast's busiest but the price is not likely to increase as yesterday. Price-quality dry conditions 48 lbs / 195-200 seeds purchased at Abidjan port is only around 645 CFA (~ $ 1.12) / kg depending on the quality and method of payment. USD / CFA continuously for more than 1 month volatility, today 1 USD is 575 CFA. The dong strengthened against the USD CFA also a little difficult for businesses that export of Ivorian rough. Regarding it as CTV crop in Ivory Coast VINACAS information in the previous report, has now finished the first case and are preparing for the harvest in full service Monday lasted about 15/04/2016 at Coast Ivory. Forecasts phase 2 will be better because of the weather in the Ivory Coast in recent days of heavy rain, creating favorable conditions for the development and maintenance left it. Source: VINACAS

ECB, Company Cashew Enthusiast Wed Apr 06, 2016 Company Cashew nuts are standing in the village of Ban, Kubu district, Karangasem, East Bali. In a circumscribed by poverty, without roads and water and electricity do not make obstacles for East Bali cashews to produce the best quality cashew nuts. Far from penenrangan, chained by poverty, isolated in transportation, but it can produce cashew nuts with the best quality and has expanded to 8 countries. Now, in the midst of global economic competition, this energetic young company has revolutionized trade different cashews, build factory direct cashew farm location. The goal is to be able to present the best cashew nuts, the best ethics at the same time improve quality of life tires. "We buy directly from small farmers and directly process them in the village where it grows, before being sent to foreign countries. We share knowledge and empower farmers and their families. Friendly production process by using biomass from cashew nut shell. "Said CEO and Founder of East Bali cashews Aaron Fishman. According to Aaron, Cashew Indonesia is among the best in the world, during the Indonesian cashew nuts exported in raw form for further processing by the importing country, so that the original flavor is lost. "With the people we have worked hard Ban menghasilakn cashews fresh local fast with the best quality made with natural ingredients with no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, no lies," the story of Aaron in fluent Indonesian. He continued, the current production of cashew nuts cashews East Bali of 60 tons per month and exported to eight countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and the largest market to the United States. "Our Poternsi very large, I estimate that next year we will grow three-fold with a workforce can reach a thousand people," said Aaron. The success of East Bali cashews could not be separated from the role of global investment firm KKR, based in New York. Many companies that do business in Southeast Asia. Specializations are expected to help the development of business models and social enterprenurship bring together investors from different levels of the business. "Business trends melinium is social entrepreneurship, a concept that is not only the pursuit of capital back to investors, but also the return on investment for society kekitarnya," said Steven R. Okun. Source: http://www.netralnews.com/

East Bali Cashews Wins Corporate Excellence Award

The social enterprise East Bali Cashews was honored by the US Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday (05/04) for the commendable societal impact it has in rural Bali.

The American-founded enterprise received the 2015 US Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) in Washington, DC, in March, in recognition of its contribution to the growth and development of the local economy of Bali.

East Bali Cashews was founded by Aaron Fishman in 2012, after seeing potential for growth in the rural village of Desa Ban, and the abundance of cashews in Indonesia.

When it first started, East Bali Cashews was assisted by KKR, a global private equity firm, by providing expertise and in the development of a business plan and financial model.

It has now grown from a factory to a village with an early learning center for farmers' children. It is a fully sustainable, zero-carbon facility, employing 350 people from the area.

"If you look at the social impact of East Bali Cashews, you can literally count the people who have benefited from the company. The people who were previously unemployed now have jobs, and they don't have to go to Sanur for their jobs, and now the children of the farmers study in the village's early learning center,” said Steven Okun, KKR's director for Asia-Pacific public affairs.

"KKR was one of the founding donors for the early learning center. After that project, we saw the power of education, which is why we want to open up a learning center for farmers and teach them about sustainable cashew farming practices, and educate the public about the farmers and the issues they have to go through," East Bali Cashews founder Fishman said.

The East Bali Center for Community Development is set to open later this year, and it will house an eco-lodge for travelers, and a learning center for the public.

The company exports half of its goods worldwide, and is planning to expand to West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara by the end of the year.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/

Worldcashew.com Crop Report for April 2016

El-Nino effect is almost over on the global climate but it has shattered the hopes of Indian farmers. Vietnamese harvest has considerably improved by March-end but the total crop-size can not be estimated because of the cloudy weather conditions.

Indian harvest suffered worst ever debacle in the second half of March and still there is no improvement what so ever. According to some experts, improvements will begin from the last week of April. They think that the harvest will continue till the rainy season as current weather conditions are highly favorable for the growth of tender nuts.

West African harvest is also progressing slowly but the crop loss might be much less compared to the Indian harvest.

What ever is the per hectare yield this year, African crop-size may become normal as they are adding more and more areas under cultivation. In coming years, many new nations will emerge in the raw cashew export field in Africa.

Source: http://worldcashew.com/

"Quả đấm thép" của Đồng Nai IPO, 14,9 triệu cổ phần hết veo

Thanh Thủy

(NDH) Trái với sự ảm đạm các phiên IPO của các doanh nghiệp trong lĩnh vực hạ tầng KCN, cổ phần Tổng công ty Tín Nghĩa đã được bán sạch. Tín Nghĩa thu về tổng cộng 177 tỷ đồng từ phiên IPO, tương đương giá trúng bình quân 11.885 đồng/cp. 

TIN ĐỌC NHIỀU

• 10 cổ phiếu giao dịch mạnh nhất tuần từ 21 - 25/3

• [Góc nhìn môi giới] Đầu tư theo xu hướng

Sáng ngày 01/04/2016, Sở GDCK TP.HCM (HSX) đã tổ chức bán đấu giá cổ phần lần đầu ra công chúng (IPO) Tổng công ty Tín Nghĩa, một trong ba Tổng công ty nhà nước của tỉnh Đồng Nai bên cạnh Dofico và Sonadezi.

Tổng công ty dự kiến sẽ IPO 14,9 triệu cổ phần, IPO tương đương 9,56% vốn điều lệ. Phiên đấu giá cổ phần Tín Nghĩa thu hút 28 nhà đầu tư, đăng ký mua gần 30,3 triệu cổ phần, hơn gấp 2 lần lượng cổ phần mà Tín Nghĩa sẽ chào bán.

Đáng chú ý, trong danh sách NĐT đăng ký tham gia có 4 tổ chức nước ngoài đăng ký mua tổng cộng 14,9 triệu cổ phần, tương đương đúng lượng cổ phần Tín Nghĩa chào bán. Đây là điều khá hiếm gặp trong các phiên IPO gần đây. Ngoài ra, phiên đấu giá còn có sự tham gia của 22 NĐT cá nhân và 2 tổ chức trong nước.

Kết quả, chỉ có 12 NĐT mua thành công cổ phần. Giá trúng thầu thấp nhất 11.600 đồng/cp. Mức giá cao nhất trong phiên IPO là 14.000 đồng/cp. Đnág chú ý, đã có một nhà đầu tư đặt mua 5 triệu cổ phiếu với giá 12.000 đồng/cp. Với mức giá trúng bình quân 11.885 đồng/cp, Tín Nghĩa thu về tổng cộng 177 tỷ đồng từ phiên IPO.

Sau cổ phần hóa, vốn điều lệ của Tín Nghĩa xấp xỉ 1.558 tỷ đồng. Cổ đông nhà nước (UBND Tỉnh Đồng Nai) sẽ tiếp tục nắm giữ 50% vốn điều lệ. Có khoảng hơn 5,438% vốn điều lệ sẽ được Tín Nghĩa bán cho Công đoàn và CBCNV. Sau phiên IPO, Tín Nghĩa sẽ thực hiện đấu giá 35% vốn điều lệ cho NĐT chiến lược.

Sau phiên IPO, Tín Nghĩa sẽ thực hiện đấu giá cho NĐT chiến lược. Các tiêu chí khá ngặt nghèo được đưa ra để có thể trở thành cổ đông chiến lược của Tín Nghĩa như vốn điều lệ ít nhất 500 tỷ đồng, thời gian hoạt động tối thiểu 5 năm. Số lượng nhà đầu tư không quá ba. Chia sẻ thêm tại phiên đấu giá, lãnh đạo công ty cho biết sẽ lựa chọn NĐT chiến lược trong nước.

Trước đó, phiên đấu giá của Sonadezi dù thu hút khá đông đảo người tham gia (91 NĐT) nhưng khối lượng mua vào chỉ chiếm 3% khối lượng cổ phiếu chào bán. Cũng là một trong các Tổng công ty do tỉnh Đồng Nai quản lý nhưng tỷ lệ cổ phần do Nhà nước nắm giữ sau cổ phần hóa của Sonadezi lại lên tới 65%, đồng thời không bán cổ phần cho NĐT chiến lược.

Bán ra một lượng lớn cổ phiếu ra bên ngoài, đặc biệt dành tới 35% cho NĐT chiến lược là một trong các nguyên nhân khiến Tín Nghĩa thu hút sự chú ý hơn Sonadezi. Cùng với đó, Tín Nghĩa cũng đang nắm quỹ đất rộng lớn cùng kết quả kinh doanh khá ấn tượng.

Quỹ đất khủng 2.200 ha và dự án Khu đô thị 6 tỷ USD "bất động"

Tín Nghĩa đang quản lý, sử dụng và triển khai đầu tư hơn 2.200 ha đất, trong đó đất đang quản lý và sử dụng gần 814,5 ha gồm 31 khu đất. Trong đó có 03 khu đất trụ sở văn phòng, 15 khu đất sản xuất kinh doanh, 06 khu đất nhận chuyển nhượng từ hộ gia đình để mở rộng dự án.

Bảy khu đất khác mà Tín Nghĩa đang quản lý có diện tích hơn 18 ha. Sau cổ phần hóa, Tín Nghĩa dự kiến sẽ bán 6 khu đất. Riêng Khu đất xã Hiệp Hòa, tỉnh Biên Hòa (hơn 17,2 ha) đã được Tín Nghĩa nhận chuyển nhượng từ các hộ dân để chuẩn bị đầu tư Dự án Khu dân cư và tái định cư.

Tổng số diện tích đất đang được triển khai đầu tư của Tín Nghĩa là 1.390 ha, tập trung tại KCN Nhơn Trạch 3, KCN Tân Phú và KCN Biên Hòa. Phần lớn diện tích đất là đất thuê dài hạn trả tiền hàng năm.

Ngoài ra, Tín Nghĩa còn được nhắc nhiều với việc tham gia vào dự án Khu đô thị Đông Sài Gòn thông qua công ty con CTCP Đầu tư Nhơn Trạch (Tín Nghĩa nắm 51,51%). Năm 2009, Tín Nghĩa khởi công xây dựng dự án Khu đô thị Đông Sài Gòn tại huyện Nhơn Trạch, tỉnh Đồng Nai với quy mô 942 ha và tổng vốn đầu tư 6 tỷ USD. Dù được định hướng trở thành khu đô thị xanh, kiểu mẫu nhưng đến nay dự án vẫn đắp chiếu sau 6 năm triển khai.

Vị trí Khu đô thị Đông Sài gòn

Kinh doanh ấn tượng, "đẩy" công ty con TIP lên sàn

Hoạt động kinh doanh chính của Tín Nghĩa là đầu tư kinh doanh hạ tầng khu công nghiệp (KCN) và bất động sản (BĐS), chế biến, kinh doanh xuất nhập khẩu, kinh doanh xăng dầu, khí đốt…

Trước cổ phần hóa, kết quả kinh doanh của “ông lớn” có vốn điều lệ 1.558 tỷ đồng khá ấn tượng với doanh thu và lợi nhuận đều tăng trưởng mạnh, nhất là trong hai năm gần đây. Năm 2011, Tín Nghĩa thu về 9.187 tỷ đồng doanh thu và 5 tỷ đồng lỗ ròng. Doanh thu năm 2015 đạt 10.000 tỷ đồng, nhưng lãi ròng đã tăng lên 304 tỷ đồng. ROE đạt 21,13%.

Tuy được biết đến khá nhiều trong lĩnh vực hạ tầng khu công nghiệp và bất động sản nhưng mảng hoạt động mang lại doanh thu lớn nhất của Tín Nghĩa (chiếm 35% doanh thu toàn tổ hợp công ty mẹ - con) lại đến từ xuất khẩu cà phê. Ngoài ra, Tín nghĩa còn kinh doanh thương mại hạt tiêu và nông sản khác, thức ăn gia súc, xăng dầu...

Hiệu quả kinh doanh hai năm gần đây được cải thiện đáng kể

Ngoài “cơ ngơi” đất đai rộng lớn, Tín Nghĩa còn đang nắm cổ phần chi phối tại 14 công ty con, trong đó có nhiều doanh nghiệp lớn của tỉnh Đồng Nai như Donafoods (54%), Logistics Tín Nghĩa – ICD Biên Hòa (89,59%), Xăng dầu Tín Nghĩa (58,97%),…

Một trong các công ty con hoạt động trong lĩnh vực hạ tầng khu công nghiệp của Tín Nghĩa chuẩn bị được đẩy lên sàn chứng khoán Tp.HCM (HoSE) thời gian tới đây là Công ty Cổ phần Phát triển Khu Công nghiệp Tín Nghĩa với mã chứng khoán TIP. Nguồn thu chủ yếu của công ty này đến từ việc cho thuê đất, cơ sở hạ tầng và cung cấp các dịch vụ cơ bản trong khu công nghiệp Tam Phước với tỷ lệ lấp đầy hiện đã đạt 100%.

Lãnh đạo Tổng công ty Tín Nghĩa cho biết trong thời gian tới, khi đủ điều kiện thì Tín Nghĩa sẽ chủ động thực hiện niêm yết trên sàn chứng khoán.

IPO Tín Nghĩa thu về hơn 177 tỷ đồng, sẽ chọn nhà đầu tư chiến lược trong nước

Source: vietstock

01/04/2016 | 10:51

Sáng ngày 01/04/2016, buổi chào bán đấu giá lần đầu ra công chúng (IPO) của Tổng Công ty Tín Nghĩa (TinNghiaCorp) đã diễn ra một cách sôi động.

* IPO Tín Nghĩa: 4 tổ chức nước ngoài muốn "ôm" gần 15 triệu cp 

* IPO Tín Nghĩa sẽ không “ế” như Sonadezi? 

Thực tế, phiên IPO Tín Nghĩa được dự báo sẽ thành công khi lượng cổ phần đăng ký mua nhiều hơn gấp đôi lượng chào bán. Cụ thể, có 28 nhà đầu tư đăng ký mua 30,260,400 cổ phần, hơn gấp 2 lần lượng cổ phần mà Tín Nghĩa sẽ chào bán (14,897,350 cổ phần). Trong đó, gồm 24 nhà đầu tư cá nhân trong nước đăng ký mua 15,360,300 cp, 2 tổ chức trong nước muốn mua 10,100 cp và đáng chú ý là 4 tổ chức nước ngoài đăng ký mua 14,890,000 cp của Tín Nghĩa.

Kết quả phiên IPO của Tín Nghĩa

Kết quả, buối đấu giá hôm nay đã đạt thành công 100% khi toàn bộ cổ phần chào bán được 12 nhà đầu tư mua hết. Mức giá trúng thầu bình quân là 11,885 đồng/cp, tương ứng giá trị Tín Nghĩa thu về đạt hơn 177 tỷ đồng. Mức giá cao nhất trong phiên IPO là 14,000 đồng/cp và giá thấp nhất là 10,200 đồng/cp.

Đáng chú ý, trong số nhà đầu tư trúng giá có 3 tổ chức. Căn cứ vào số lượng tổ chức đã đăng ký mua cổ phần Tín Nghĩa trước ngày IPO thì khả năng sẽ có một tổ chức là nước ngoài.

Ngoài ra, với mức giá trúng thầu thấp nhất 11,600 đồng/cp thì có 3 lệnh lớn có khối lượng trên 2 triệu đơn vị trúng thầu: 1 lệnh 5 triệu cp tại mức giá 12,100 đồng/cp; một lệnh 4.89 triệu cp tại mức giá 11,900 đồng/cp và một lệnh 2.5 triệu cp tại mức giá 11,700 đồng/cp.

Sẽ chọn nhà đầu tư chiến lược trong nước

Theo phương án cổ phần hóa, Tín Nghĩa sẽ cháo bán 35% vốn (54.53 triệu cp) cho không quá 3 nhà đầu tư chiến lược. Tiêu chí nhà đầu tư chiến lược là có thời gian hoạt động 5 năm, tổng tài sản đến cuối năm 2014 là 1,500 tỷ đồng, vốn chủ sở hữu tối thiểu 500 tỷ và có lợi nhuận trong 3 năm liên tiếp 2012, 2013 và 2014.

Ông Quách Văn Đức (ngoài cùng bên trái) kiểm tra tính hợp lệ các thùng phiếu tham gia đấu giá.

Chia sẻ với người viết, ông Quách Văn Đức - Chủ tịch kiêm TGĐ của Tín Nghĩa cho biết Tổng công ty sẽ chọn nhà đầu tư chiến lược trong nước chứ không phải là nhà đầu tư nước ngoài. Do tính bảo mật đã cam kết nên chưa thể công bố vào lúc này.

Về buổi IPO hôm nay, ông Đức cho biết việc thành công một phần nhờ vào quyết tâm của Tổng công ty trong vấn đề cổ phần hóa cũng như việc chọn lựa một tổ chức tư vấn tốt. Ngoài ra, khi chào bán 50% vốn ra bên ngoài, tức Nhà nước chỉ còn sở hữu 50% vốn cũng tạo sân chơi công bằng cho nhà đầu tư tham gia vào Tín Nghĩa.

Định hướng trong thời gian tới, khi đủ điều kiện thì Tín Nghĩa sẽ chủ động thực hiện niêm yết trên sàn chứng khoán.

Đối với hoạt động kinh doanh, 4 lĩnh vực trọng tâm được Tín Nghĩa chú trọng trong thời gian tới theo ông Đức gồm kinh doanh xăng dầu, xuất nhập khẩu nông sản, logictics và bất động sản khu công nghiệp.

Được biết, mục tiêu đến năm 2020, Tín Nghĩa đặt kế hoạch diện tích cho thuê đạt 90% diện tích đất được phép cho thuê trong các KCN dự kiến sẽ đầu tư xong hạ tầng (KCN Nhơn trạch 6D, KCN Ông Kèo, KCN An Phước và KCN Đất Đỏ). Lĩnh vực này sẽ giữ vai trò chủ đạo trong cơ cấu lợi nhuận.

Đối với xuất khẩu cà phê, khối lượng cà phê hạt xuất khẩu từ 120,000 tấn/năm trở lên trong giai đoạn 2016-2020. Trong đó, cà phê chất lượng cao chiếm ít nhất 50% sản lượng xuất khẩu. Kim ngạch xuất khẩu bình quân phấn đấu đạt 250 triệu USD/năm, tương ứng tăng trưởng bình quân hàng năm 4%. Nhập khẩu nguyên liệu sản xuất từ 260,000 – 350,000 tấn/năm.

Trong lĩnh vực phát triển hoạt động kinh doanh xăng dầu, giai đoạn 2018 - 2020, Tín Nghĩa dự kiến sản lượng xăng dầu bán ra 836 triệu lít các loại. Tăng trưởng bình quân hàng năm 5%. Bình quân sản lượng hàng năm đạt 279 triệu lít. Doanh thu trong 3 năm 14,837 tỷ đồng, bình quân hàng năm 4,946 tỷ đồng.

Còn hoạt động kinh doanh logistics, đầu tư hoàn chỉnh Cảng Tổng hợp Phú Hữu, kết nối với hoạt động của công ty con trong lĩnh vực logistics, kho bãi./.

Georgia: enhancing skills in hazelnut production and processing

A group of Georgian farmers, representing the Zugdidi-based Darcheli cooperative and employees of the Samegrelo region Information Consultation Centres, today began a comprehensive programme focussed on the production and processing of hazelnuts. The activity is part of an EU-funded project for capacity building of agricultural cooperatives, implemented in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) in Georgia.The programme will be conducted in a ‘training of trainers’ format for the 15 farmers involved, and will run for a total duration of two months between 30 March and 2 December 2016. It will cover 11 modules on various topics related to hazelnut production and farm management.Georgia is currently benefitting from EUR 52 million in support for agricultural and rural development through the EU-funded ENPARD Programme. Launched in 2012, the Programme aims to boost the production of food and reduce rural poverty in Georgia. Besides the grants component, ENPARD also provides direct budget support to the Government of Georgia for the implementation of its agriculture sector strategy, and brings expertise and know-how to the authorities 

Source: http://www.enpi-info.eu

Outlook of cashew Industry in Africa

Dr D Balasubramanian Higher productivity within sustainable agricultural systems is a requirement for economic development and poverty alleviation in Africa. Cashew in particular can play an important role in the livelihood of many resource-poor farmers, small traders and local industries. In addition to the economic benefits of cashew to the farmers, traders and associated industries, cashew growing has also ecological advantages and play a vital role in stabilising and maintaining agricultural environments. Cashew has major economic, social and environmental benefits, not only for rural populations but also for the countries as a whole. Position of raw nut production and trade Cashew is grown exclusively in tropical countries for domestic consumption and export up to 85% of processed cashew kernels to temperate countries. It is produced commercially in as many as 32 countries in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Latin American located below equator. Total production in the world during the last fiscal was around 44.15 lakh MT which is almost 19-fold growth in reference to base year 1961. Mozambique, an east African country, maintained its premier position in early 60s and due to intervention of research and development in African countries, cashew production registered two-fold increase i.e. 9.21 to 18.81 lakh MT during the last decade. Of late, Nigeria, one of the West African countries, enhanced its production level on par with Vietnam and contributed 22% to the global production of cashew. Production in Ivory Coast has grown up rapidly in recent years with a share of 10% in the world production. Most of the cashew producing countries in East and West Africa are the major suppliers of raw cashewnut to India and are likely to remain as it is in the near future too, amidst strong competition from Vietnam and Brazil. Policy changes and revival of cashew processing facilities in Mozambique, its export quantity is restricted in the beginning of the century. While trading raw cashewnuts, coincidence of harvest season, quantity of production, quality assessment in terms of outturn and driage, farm gate price and tax levied at various levels, transit expenses in the importing countries plays decisive role in the business. Raw nut suppliers from Tanzania and Ivory Coast export throughout the year; thereby the importing countries are assisted in not carrying long-term stocks. Global scenario of cashew production Country Area       (Lakh ha) Production  (Lakh MT) Productivity (kg ha-1) Benin 4.85 1.80 371 Brazil 6.95 1.10 158 Burkina Faso 1.20 1.15 958 Cote d’ Ivoire 9.00 4.50 500 Guinea- Bissau 2.48 1.38 558 India 9.82 7.29 742 Indonesia 5.75 1.17 204 Nigeria 3.80 9.50 2500 Tanzania 4.11 1.28 312 Vietnam 3.01 11.11 3692 Others 6.92 3.88 560 Total 54.47 44.15 811 Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa Development, Cochin, Kerala (2015) Scenario of processing sector Mozambique and Tanzania are the two major cashew growing countries in East Africa involved in processing. During early 1970s, Mozambique acclaimed the premier position in production and exportation of processed cashew kernels in the world approximating 2.4 lakh MT per annum and became an exporter of significant volume of raw unprocessed nuts later. However, the industry has rebounded with production level of approximately 0.7 lakh MT of which 21% was domestically processed during the year 2012. In a crucial departure from the previously failed approach that was dominated by large-scale factories and use of mechanised technology, Mozambique principally makes use of manual shelling technology to achieve higher whole kernel outturn. However, the productivity of Mozambique’s factory workers is well behind India’s and Vietnam’s as well as that of other African processing industries such as Tanzania and Ivory Coast. Agro Industries Association plays a vital role in exporting the processed cashew kernels under a brand ‘Zamibique.’ Monitoring mechanism is in place to regulate and standardise the quality of pooled production for export and it is becoming a powerful tool for generation of individual factory diagnosis. Tanzania’s cashewnut sector is well positioned in the international market for raw cashewnuts, exporting 82% of national production due to a combination of seasonality and price. West Africa’s cashew processing sector which includes countries like Benin, Burkino Faso, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo is quite small given the region’s status as the world’s second-largest producer of raw cashewnuts, contributing 40% to the world production. Based on the usage of machinery and processing quantity, cottage, semi-mechanised and fully automatic systems are followed in West Africa and cost-effective, Indian semi-mechanised is gaining momentum in recent times.   Although plain cashew kernels are sold as such, few processors add value through secondary processing targeting high-end consumers to recover their elevated processing costs. Many West African processors remain largely reliant on local consumers due to limited production of specific grade in bulk quantity for export to sustain operations year-round. West Africa’s position as a raw nut exporter may change in the near future, as processing capacity is growing rapidly. Kernel trade Cashew nuts are an upmarket snack food and the demand is set to increase in view of its health benefits and the rising purchasing power of emerging economies. Whole kernels without defects or blemishes are required for the snack trade and the broken pieces are required for other confectionery, biscuits and bakery products and other prepared foods. Mostly plain cashew kernels are traded in the international market and secondary level processing takes place at the importing countries mainly in the United States of America and Europe for retail sale. As far as kernel market is concerned, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya from East Africa and Nigeria and Indonesia from West Africa supply comparatively large volume to other countries. Either processing facilities have not been strengthened or cost-effective system is not in place to manufacture cashew kernels for export in the competitive global market. Way forward Having regard to the hidden potential of African cashew industry, network approach of involving all stakeholders in the cashew value chain, certainly, resolve diversified issues. The overall strategy of interventions should revolve around participative and contractual approach to exploit enormous and varied opportunities offered by the cashew industry in Africa. Achieving an  appropriate  level  of  diversification  of  risk for  farmers  is  important for  long-term  stability. In semi-arid areas cashew can have a competitive advantage over some other food crops. But it is of paramount importance that there should be right balance between food security and diversity of cash crops. The cultivation and collection of cashew nuts are labour-intensive activities, having the capacity to create employment, increase rural earnings and earn foreign exchange. Therefore, public and private sectors should gear up their activities to provide strong support to the cashew industry as a whole.  In the era of the commodity board, production of quality material can be encouraged through assessment and valuation by the cashew commodity board. Cashew is a versatile crop with unlimited potential for growth and exports in Africa or elsewhere. At present, cashew kernels are the only items that have been fully exploited commercially. Full utilisation of its byproducts viz., cashew apple, CNSL, cashew testa and cashew shell will lead to a higher realisation of income for farmers and cashew processor-exporters. Currently, Africa will probably forecast an increasing market for raw cashewnuts. But sooner or later, increased cashew orchard in Vietnam and Brazil will reduce this demand, leaving India again as the first and last customer.   Source: http://www.fnbnews.com/